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I am getting ready to make all new break lines for my 93 F250 4wd long bed 7.9 IDI diesel and I have to questions. The first is single or double flare? I have been told by 3 people that a single is fine, although 2 of them said if the lines were metric I would have to do double flares but since they aren't a single flare is ok. I've also been told by 2 people that they must have a double flare. My second question is for the line that starts at a block in the drivers side frame rail by behind the front tire and runs to a robber hose passing through a cross member behind the rear axle on the drivers side. The old line that I took off is actually 2 lines that have flared ends and are connected together by a small double female connector. Is this factory and should I make the new ones like that or has someone else done this and I should make just 1 line in the area of 14' long? Thank you for any and all advise it will be greatly appreciated!!!
Any one that says or does otherwise is an idiot. Single is not sufficient and can fatigue and break.
The line to the rear was one piece from the factory. You can replace it as a single line if you have a long enough piece of tube, or go with 2 shorter pieces with a double flared connector in the middle. Do NOT use a compression fitting in the middle.
Thank You for the advice!! Now if I can figure out how to make a good double flare I would be set lol! I've watched 4 different how to videos and they all made it look so easy lol!! I've bent 1 line and done 2 double flared ends over the last 4 hours and my flares to me look like crap!! I seriously think they will leak!! I don't know if it's the $20 Autozone flare kit that I'm using or just my ignorance but I am ready to blow a head gasket here lol!!!
They make a tool to make double flares. You can Buy a cheap one at harbor freight. I have used one of those not the best but it will make double flares. Autozone also stocks the tool. It is not hard just takes a little practice? Get one that has the hex tightening bolts the thumb screw ones are hard to get tight enough.
I replaced some hard brake lines on my 64 F100 with copper/nickel alloy lines ($27 for 25'). Double flares are easy on this type line. It easy to bend by hand and makes tight bends without kinking when using a tubing bender.
When flaring lines file a chamfer on the outside edge like 45 degree. Otherwise you'll never get a good flare. OTC makes a good flaring kit. Robot Check
I can see where that would help. I'll have to try it next time.
Search Utube for a video. I watched several good ones. You definitely want to clean up the inside and outside edges. I flaring tool kit came with a reamer for the inside. Die grinder would also work.